IC CONTACT;

[moneyballer]

username: I CAN B UR DADDY

✉ ☏ 📷

Comments

[moneyballer]

No, it's okay.

I wish you'd just said that earlier.

[It'd make things easier to understand.]

I'm different, yeah.

I'm not who I used to be.

[And as a result, he is relieved.]

[catphishing]

Do you miss everyone from home?

["Everyone" being the rest of the K5.]

[moneyballer]

[Not really.]

Do you?

[catphishing]

Yes.

[moneyballer]

[He laughs on his end, the sound hollow, bitter.]

Can't say I do.

They didn't really like me.

[catphishing]

Connor basically let you live on our couch for a while.
I know they took a while to let you in, but trust me, they like you.

[moneyballer]

[And at that he is bewildered.

Even Asher didn't like the person he was. He still isn't sure if he does.]

They do?

[catphishing]

Yeah.
I'm actually kind of jealous of how close you all are. 😛

[If he uses an emoji that means this is totally a joke, right?]

[moneyballer]

But then if you know the rest of us...

Doesn't that mean you're just close to us too? lmao

[catphishing]

It's not the same.

[moneyballer]

Makin' friends is rough, buddy.

You'll find 'em in due time.

[On that note, he can relate.]

It sure took me a while.

'S worth it tho. When you get there.

[catphishing]

Yeah. Thanks.

[He'll think of that when he's sad and lonely and remembers Asher has a boyfriend when he doesn't.]

[moneyballer]

We can be friends too, if you want.

[He is being sincere about this.

Oliver's behavior has now started to worry him, mostly because it mirrors his own. Avoidance, lies.

The hints of self-loathing.]

It'll just be different.

[Better, hopefully.]

[catphishing]

I don't want to be your friend just because you feel sorry for me.

[moneyballer]

That's not why I wanna be friends.

[Maybe that's where they are different.

Asher would take the pity. It's better than being alone.]

We probably don't have a lot in common, but...

You're the only other person here who knows what normal feels like.

[Normal for them.]

[catphishing]

We have some things in common.
You're kind of fun to play Xbox with.

[moneyballer]

Damn! You game, son?

actually nvm ur in2 computers i should've known lol

[There's so many strange signals he's getting from the other man. Disdain and resentment are there, but also an invisible hand, one reaching out to cling at the fabric covering his shoulders.

Familiarity might be what Oliver is seeking, and Asher can't fault him for that.]

Maybe we can play a round of somethin' sometime.

[That is-]

If we ever get outta here.

[catphishing]

We will.

[He hopes...]

Too bad we didn't figure things out before things got bad here.
I bet I could kick your ass on these old school systems. 🎮

[moneyballer]

[Tone often doesn't translate well through text, but on Asher's end of the feed?

He's definitely smiling.]

Bring it, nerd.